Poll: Would you want to take the test to become an ATA-Certified Translator (if open to non-ATA members)?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Dec 6, 2019

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Would you want to take the test to become an ATA-Certified Translator (if open to non-ATA members)?".

View the poll results »



Hassan Khattab
 
Thayenga
Thayenga  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 12:22
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
No Dec 6, 2019

Simply because it would not change or improve anything.

Ventnai
Angus Stewart
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Clement Cheung
Jorge Payan
Yetta Jensen Bogarde
Liviu-Lee Roth
 
Samuel Murray
Samuel Murray  Identity Verified
Netherlands
Local time: 12:22
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
+ ...
No Dec 6, 2019

ProZ.com Staff wrote:
Would you want to take the test to become an ATA-Certified Translator (if open to non-ATA members)?


No, because the test would still be pretty expensive, and you'd still have to pay an annual certification fee. So you'd have to pay money, but get none of the other benefits of being an ATA member. You won't save a lot of money by refusing ATA membership.


Morano El-Kholy
Rosario Aragón
Clement Cheung
Jorge Payan
Yetta Jensen Bogarde
Liviu-Lee Roth
Philip Lees
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 11:22
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
No Dec 6, 2019

I’ve been an ATA associate member for some time and got a few clients through the Directory, but I’m not certified, I’ve been around for over 30 years without it… I should add that I’m a member of the Portuguese Translators Association and of the International Association of Professional Translators and Interpreters.

[Edited at 2019-12-06 10:46 GMT]


 
The Misha
The Misha
Local time: 07:22
Russian to English
+ ...
No Dec 6, 2019

ATA does not have anything I would want or need.

Julio Madrid
Liviu-Lee Roth
Philip Lees
 
Mario Freitas
Mario Freitas  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 08:22
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
No Dec 6, 2019

Just like diplomas and certificates, memberships in associations have proven to provide no ROI and help very little in our market. Our clients know well that these are not guarantees of a good professional.

Liviu-Lee Roth
Philip Lees
 
Muriel Vasconcellos
Muriel Vasconcellos  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 04:22
Member (2003)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Other Dec 6, 2019

I took two ATA tests many years ago (and passed). Here's the thing: ATA will not **stand behind it** unless you are a member of the Association. That said, there's nothing to prevent you from listing it on your résumé, which I have done. It's on my ProZ page and I believe that it has helped to boost my credentials.

 
Maxi Schwarz
Maxi Schwarz  Identity Verified
Local time: 06:22
German to English
+ ...
No - I'm ATIO/CTTIC certified as a Canadian translator Dec 7, 2019

I would have no reason to become certified in a US (or German, or Australian) organization.

 
Samuel Murray
Samuel Murray  Identity Verified
Netherlands
Local time: 12:22
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
+ ...
@Muriel Dec 7, 2019

Muriel Vasconcellos wrote:
I took two ATA tests many years ago (and passed). Here's the thing: ATA will not **stand behind it** unless you are a member of the Association.


Yes, but that is what this poll question is about: ATA is going to introduce a system whereby they will "stand behind" their tests even if you're not a member. You'd still have to pay an annual fee, but you don't need to be or become a member.

The reason for this is that some people believe accreditation is worth less if holders of such accreditation are required to join or remain a member of some association. Such people apparently have no objection to paying an annual fee (even a fee that is the same as the membership fee), as long as one doesn't have to be an actual member (I suppose being a member means that you "affiliate" yourself with the association, i.e. agree to its rules, etc., and you may not necessarily want to do that).


[Edited at 2019-12-07 08:36 GMT]


DZiW (X)
 
mona elshazly
mona elshazly  Identity Verified
Egypt
Local time: 13:22
Member (2016)
Italian to Arabic
+ ...
Yes Dec 8, 2019

Yes, but unfortunately the test is not offered in Egypt.

 


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Poll: Would you want to take the test to become an ATA-Certified Translator (if open to non-ATA members)?






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